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I am starting to assemble more infantrymen for my Flames of War list. But, I hate using wall Spackle for filler on my models's bases. I feel that it's too messy, and a pain to use. Is there any other material you guys would recommend?

You can always glue sand easily on. Apply watered down glue with a brush, then dip in flock or sand.

Also while wall spackle is used on many demonstrations, if you only paint the top and the spackle chips off (it's brittle material, as you know), then you've got an obvious repair needed. Using pumice gels from either a wargame hobby supplier or a general art supplier (you get more pumice gel from the art store and it's the same stuff), applies just the same and has actual ding resistance.

Try wood filler, it's thicker and easier to handle than spackle, it also dries harder.

I use a combination of wood filler and pumice paste.

The filler I use to make the ground level with the thick cast-in bases on some infantry.

The pumice I put over that to provide a good sandy texture without wasting tons of the stuff to and having to wait for each layer to try just to get it level with the bases.

This method may sound time consuming, but's it's actually been much faster for way better results.

Sounds crazy,but i use plumbers self harding putty.Pretty cheap and you can do simple sculpts.

I use Testors contour putty. It works nicely and you can shape it pretty well while it's still wet.

Add white glue to the filler. Makes it more flexible, less likely to snap or crackle.

Does nobody watch Mr Maker? phhfft.

I use that vallejo pumice paste. Not many people like it, takes a couple of coats to built it up to the right height, but i think it looks really good when it dries. And the tub i got will last for months.

I like sand because it is easy to use, but you can get very nice results with wood putty as well.

My mate once walked into GW and announced loudly that, as you could buy a 1kg sack of sand from B&Q for under £5, how could GW justify their tiny tub for the same price. He was asked to leave by one of the staff

I use Golden Acrylic Modeling Paste.

It's the consistency of spackle but, being a polymer-based acrylic, doesn't chip or flake like spackle. You can also tint it with acrylic paints and/or add sand to it to give it texture.

A 16oz tub of the stuff (more than I'll ever use in a few years) only cost me $9.

Skullcrafts.com has a textured paste.

Makarov wrote:I am starting to assemble more infantrymen for my Flames of War list. But, I hate using wall Spackle for filler on my models's bases. I feel that it's too messy, and a pain to use. Is there any other material you guys would recommend?

There are other options, but I find it is the recommend process that makes spackle annoying. They recommend you base your figures and then fill in the gaps around the bases. How annoying that is! I use a full sized putty knife, spread the spackle on the stand press the figs into it and smooth a little. Simple and fast without all the annoyance.

Skriker

Like ancientsociety, I use a Golden Acrylic Modeling product, but I think mine says "Gel" on the tub instead of "Paste". The stuff goes on easily with a trowel. It's shatterproof, so you don't need to worry about it being damaged in a fall. And you can "pre-color" it with your acrylic paint before applying it to the base. It comes in both a smooth consistancy (which is what I have), or with texture so you don't need to apply sand to your base afterwards.

I also use Golden products. I'm currently messing about with the Golden Coarse pumice.

Simple to apply to the bace and the grain brings the level up to the level of the metal base nicely.

I then cover it with a grout/PVA/Flat earth paint mix and am really pleased with the very varied finist. Looks more like mud with less effort.

Previously I have just been using PVA mixed with grout or filler which is okay but very smooth. Which then means more effort when detailing.

The only down side to Golden seems to be the extended time it takes to dry 24hrs+. Once it has dried though i dont think it is going anywhere.